To evaluate the safety of HIV-1 gp120 C4-V3 hybrid polyvalent peptide immunogen (C4-V3 peptides) formulated in mineral oil containing mannose mono-oleate (IFA) in HIV-1 uninfected volunteers. To evaluate the humoral and cellular immune responses to the C4-V3 peptides as measured by the induction of 1 or more of the following: neutralizing antibodies to HIV-1 MN and RF, cross-neutralizing antibodies to primary isolates of HIV-1, HIV-1 antigen-specific lymphoproliferation, CD8+ and CD4+ cytotoxic T lymphocyte (CTL) activity specific for HIV-1 gp120 or V3 peptides corresponding to the vaccine strains of HIV-1, induction of HLA-B7 and HLA-A2 restricted CD8+CTLs, and induction of HIV-specific DTH responses.

The test immunogen (C4-V3 peptides) is constructed from 4 sequences of the HIV-1 V3 gp120 loop shared by approximately 80% of North American HIV-1 strains. Because of the critical role that this region plays in generating anti-HIV sequences, it is hypothesized that the test immunogen (C4-V3 peptides) will be capable of inducing a broad range of cross-reactive neutralizing antibodies in the majority of recipients.

Further study details as provided by National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID):

Enrollment:

24

Study Completion Date:

April 1999

Detailed Description:

The test immunogen (C4-V3 peptides) is constructed from 4 sequences of the HIV-1 V3 gp120 loop shared by approximately 80% of North American HIV-1 strains. Because of the critical role that this region plays in generating anti-HIV sequences, it is hypothesized that the test immunogen (C4-V3 peptides) will be capable of inducing a broad range of cross-reactive neutralizing antibodies in the majority of recipients.

Twenty-eight volunteers are randomized to receive two 0.5 ml injections of C4-43 peptides in IFA or placebo (IFA alone) administered intramuscularly at 0, 1, 6, and 12 months. At least 50% of all volunteers (6 per Groups I and II; 2, Group III) must be HLA-B7 phenotype.

Eligibility

Ages Eligible for Study:

18 Years to 60 Years

Genders Eligible for Study:

Both

Accepts Healthy Volunteers:

Yes

Criteria

Inclusion Criteria

Volunteers must have:

Negative ELISA for HIV within 8 weeks of immunization.

Normal history and physical examination.

Normal chest x-ray within 4 weeks prior to initial immunization.

Low-risk sexual behavior as defined by AVEG.

Exclusion Criteria

Co-existing Condition:

Volunteers with the following conditions are excluded:

Medical or psychiatric condition that precludes compliance with the protocol, including recent suicidal ideation or present psychosis.

Occupational responsibilities which preclude compliance with the protocol.

Active syphilis (if the serology is documented to be a false positive or due to a remote [more than 6 months] treated infection, the volunteer is eligible).

Active tuberculosis (volunteers with a positive purified protein derivative and a normal chest x-ray showing no evidence of TB and not requiring isoniazid therapy are eligible).

Positivity for hepatitis B surface antigen.

Volunteers with the following prior conditions are excluded:

History of immunodeficiency, chronic illness, malignancy, or autoimmune disease. NOTE: Individuals with a history of cancer are excluded unless there has been surgical excision followed by a sufficient observation period to give a reasonable assurance of cure.

History of suicide attempts or past psychosis.

History of anaphylaxis or other serious adverse reactions to vaccines.

History of serious allergic reaction to any substance, requiring hospitalization or emergent medical care (e.g., Stevens-Johnson syndrome, bronchospasm, or hypotension).

History of lung disease.

Prior Medication:

Excluded:

Live attenuated vaccines within 60 days of study. NOTE: Medically indicated subunit or killed vaccines (e.g., influenza, pneumococcal) are not exclusionary, but should be given at least 2 weeks away from HIV immunizations.

Experimental agents within 30 days prior to study.

HIV-1 vaccines or placebo, received in a previous HIV vaccine trial.

Immunosuppressive medications.

Prior Treatment:

Excluded:

Receipt of blood products or immunoglobulin in the past 6 months.

Risk Behavior: Excluded:

Alcohol intake greater than or equal to the equivalent of 1 oz of 100 proof per day (4 oz. glass of wine or 12 oz. of beer per day).

Identifiable higher-risk behavior for HIV infection as determined by screening questions designed to identify risk factors for HIV infection; specific exclusions include a history of injection drug use within the last 12 months prior to enrollment and higher- or immediate-risk sexual behavior as defined by the AVEG (i.e., meeting the criteria for AVEG Risk Groups C and D).

Contacts and Locations

Choosing to participate in a study is an important personal decision. Talk with your doctor and family members or friends about deciding to join a study.
To learn more about this study, you or your doctor may contact the study research staff using the Contacts provided below.
For general information, see Learn About Clinical Studies.

Please refer to this study by its ClinicalTrials.gov identifier: NCT00000886